Every Original WWE NXT Black & Gold Roster Member - Where Are They Now?

12. Antonio Cesaro

What was he doing at the time?

Winning against Dante Dash, but mostly for the want of something better to do on Raw or SmackDown. He'd just had the call for the blue brand when NXT was rebooted in Winter Park, Florida, and he'd be WWE United States Champion within a few months of these tapings thanks to a victory over Santino Marella on the SummerSlam pre-show. It'd all very gradually get better along the way for the 'Swiss Superman' but it started a trend of him existing at least one space below where he really belonged. 

What is he doing now?

Working in All Elite Wrestling under the name he was already well known for before even entering WWE, Claudio Castagnoli signed for the challenger brand in 2022 and has been a key fixture ever since. Joining the Blackpool Combat Club on Night One as a suitable replacement for Bryan Danielson in a match against Zack Sabre Jr, his bond with John Moxley survived one hard lads' group and made him a founder member of the second one when The Death Riders took over AEW in 2024. Dual contracted to AEW and CMLL and thriving in both, it's turned out well for the man once reduced to yodelling to try and get over as a TV star.